Kids Tag

If you’re bringing up a couple of Rembrandts and you love that they’re showing their creativity by fingerpainting on every available surface, you’ll probably need to know how to get painted or crayoned masterpiece, or both, out of the carpet. Perhaps you’ve already tried to remove the results of a burst of creative energy from your little darlings but had no luck? Maybe someone is painting and decorating a room and dropped a loaded brush? We have the answers for you in the following list of painting accidents and cures.

How to Treat Wet Paint

The first thing you probably want to do is start scrubbing and trying to blot it up – DON’T – no matter how panicked you are about the spill, instead, simply lay paper towels (don’t press them down) over the wet paint splatter for a few minutes and let it soak up as much as possible. Then keep on doing it until there’s no paint left. Most of the pain will have been removed, and the paint will have dried. Leave the rest of the operation until the next morning and then follow the steps below to remove the dried paint.

Some stains are harder than others to get out of carpet fibres. If there’s an occasional paint spill from your kid’s art project, the good news is that paint is easier to deal with than many other spills, so you can relax, follow the tips below and then call in the expert carpet cleaners.

Removing Dried Paint

There are a few different ways to remove dried paint, and for both methods, you’ll need a knife or a razor and either nail polish remover or WD40. These can be used as quick fixes until the expert carpet cleaners can come and finish the job.

● If you’re using nail polish remover:

Apply the nail polish remover to the dried paint spill on the carpet and dab it with a fresh coat every other minute or so until the paint’s colour starts to fade. Once this happens, dab the stain with a cloth moistened with cold water, and if the stain is still visible, be sure to call in the carpet cleaning professionals and discuss your options for removal of the remaining paint.

● If you’re using WD-40:

This handy product deserves a place in all homes and vehicles – it’s a great way to clean off to dry paint from carpet fibres, and comes in an aerosol spray can and since it is a lubricant it can break down paint and some other spills. Just spray it gently on the dried paint stain and leave it for half an hour, then with a cloth scrub the stain until you see it coming away in little pieces onto the rag. Scrub hard and keep going until the pain has gone. Then vacuum the carpet thoroughly but if the stain remains, call in the experts!

● If you use a knife or razor:

The first thing is to remember to be very careful when doing this, but you can try gently picking the dry paint off the carpet fibres with a sharp knife. But first, scrub the stain with vigour using a dry rag to break up the paint and after you’ve removed as much as you can, vacuum up any bits of paint left.

Notes on removing all kinds of stains

The faster you deal with a stain, the more successful you’re likely to be in removing it.

Cold water is the best to rinse off a stain – but not if the stain is fat or oil.

It’s best to rinse away one solution before trying another one to remove a stain to avoid mixing chemicals.

Instead of paper towelling, you can use a white cloth towel to soak up spills – fold it and place it on a freshly spilt spot without rubbing because you’ll rub the liquid further into the fibres.

Author’s Bio

Alex Morrison has been an avid digital marketer for over 10 years. In this time he has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including toys, children’s products and services. As the owner of Integral Media he is now utilising his knowledge and experience with his rapidly increasing client portfolio to help them achieve their business goals.

Most families have too much stuff, and that includes kids’ toys. Most parents have had the slapstick comedy scene where you get up to check on something in the house, a noise perhaps, and tread on a squeaky toy or slide across the room and land on your bottom after stepping onto a skateboard or some such rolly thing. Then there’s the clutter that ends up driving you crazy if you have nowhere to store the mountain of toys the kids just had to have or that grandparents have bought over the years. If you have only one area in the house to relax, for the kids to play, toys can be a problem. If you get tired of telling the kids to pick up their toys, but the toybox is well and truly overflowing, maybe it’s time to get organised.

1. Keep an Eye Out For Ignored Toys

It seems counterintuitive but the fewer toys kids seem to have cluttering up the overfull toybox, the more they play what’s in there. Some boys will stick to their favourites such as the fire engines, plastic dinosaurs, and fast cars. Culling them would be an obvious mistake, but you could consider removing the small plastic rubbishy things such as Kinder surprises, and stuff they get for free at fast food outlets. If you leave the kids’ favourite toys around to play with, they won’t notice the cull.

2. Get Rid of Non-age Appropriate Toys

You could be the one reluctant to let go of your kids’ baby toys or toddler toys, even though nobody plays with them, and if so you’re not the only one. Some parents find it hard to do, maybe thinking they’ll have more kids and will need the toys. Giving them up might mean your baby days are over, and that can be sad, but you might find a mother in need somewhere who can’t afford toys for her baby, and that would be a panacea for your grief. And my kids will barely notice their baby toys gone, unless it’s a favourite cuddly toy they’ve had since birth. You would never part with that.

3. Don’t buy Happy Meals, Kinder Surprises etc

The simplest way of avoiding these nasty little beggars that cut into your bare feet if left lying around and you don’t see them scattered on the floor is to ditch them and don’t buy any more. They often come in party bags and other fun things but if the choice is yours, don’t use them. It will mean no more happy meals, but you’ll be healthier, have less pesky little bits cluttering your house and have more money. It’s cheaper to just get a plain burger and chips and to take your own water (in a glass bottle – think of the plastic cluttering up the oceans).

4. Convince the Kids to Donate

One good way to clear the clutter is to teach your kids’ the joy of giving their unwanted toys away to other children in need, or donating them to charity. However, it’s all in the way you approach the subject and how old they are. Mr five can perhaps begin to understand how much more he has than some other kids and might show some enthusiasm in helping others. If your kids are older, have a chat with them about giving away to other kids in need those toys they don’t play with anymore.

5. Have a Special Play Area

If you don’t have a playroom it doesn’t matter. The specified play area doesn’t have to be a whole room but you will need a place where the toys reside, which could be one corner of the lounge room. Mind you, the toys will no doubt rarely stay there, but will be spread throughout the house. However, when it’s pick up toys time they have their own place to go. Your child will probably have learned the art of toy tidiness at preschool so make it a game.

6. The Right Storage is a Good Investment

It’s more often the case that clutter is a problem because there’s nowhere to store the toys. If you have a small house you’ll need multipurpose storage, for instance, a toy box that serves as a bench. It will need a hard top that can go over the box if there’s a need for extra seating.

7. Gently Coach Grandparents About Gifts

Grandparents love to spoil their grandchildren with gifts and such and that’s a special joy for them and the kids. Without taking that away, you’ll need to talk to both sets of grandparents and gently explain how your house is too small for all those toys, or that you‘re teaching your kids to be mindful of waste. A good idea is for the toys Gran or Pa buy be left at the grandparents’ house so there’s something the kids can play with when they visit.

8. Try Joining a Toy Library

Toy libraries are a great idea for anyone who wants to declutter and also give the kids a thrill by going to a special place where they can find toys they want to play with and take them home for a couple of weeks or a month, then go back and change them. If there’s a toy library in your area, the small fee is worth the joy for the whole family. Toy libraries are usually stocked with high-quality toys that still have the ‘new’ feel so kids play with them a lot. To find a toy library near you check out https://www.toylibraries.org.au.

Author’s Bio

Alex Morrison has been an avid digital marketer for over 10 years. In this time he has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including toys, children’s products and services. As the owner of Integral Media he is now utilising his knowledge and experience with his rapidly increasing client portfolio to help them achieve their business goals.

Do you wonder what this lemon quote actually means and how this relates to your own life????

The truth is this pearler of a quote was mentioned to me the other day by a good friend pertaining to my own personal situation at present. I found myself thinking WTF??? Lemons? Lemonade? Before I could break it down she was off!

This is how I relate to this…

Lemons are equal to fuck wittery people, situations and events. So what you need to do is accept this and turn it into your gold…a positive…yea take a negative work with it and turn this into a positive. How does that sound to you? YES? In agreement! Good!

Recently I won an award. I received the silver Ausmumpreneur award for network excellence. Meaning I have strong ability to connect with others through Kat & Fox, sharing ideas, offering support and collaborating…are you clear? GOOD.

This was such a great experience I got to spend two whole days with extraordinary women/mums in business who all have a passion to make a dream come true and make a difference with what they are created. The strength I felt in those two days was indescribable, a world away from school runs, nits and tantrums. This was a chance for me to be me. SO life was great, Kat & Fox steaming ahead kicking goals and a clear future was evident for me. I made new connections and even discussed the opportunity for my next collection and book, found ways to add more meaning to the brand…my mind was buzzing I felt truly on fire. UNTIL…

A massive bloody lemon was chucked my way the day after my win….

I left for the awards, a mother, a wife and business owner. I returned a mother and a business owner…BIG LEMON! So when curve balls or lemons are thrown your way you fall, you fall hard, well I did and now two weeks later I am starting to work on making the lemonade. I honestly believe even though my life has been turned upside down, and my brain is like the slime we make for our little ones I am free and I even see a glimmer on the horizon.

So now off I go to squeeze the fuck out of my bucket of lemons and make some damn fine lemonade!!!!

About the Kat & Fox founder

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, freebies and content from Kat & Fox, be sure to sign up to our E Newsletter. Don’t stress we won’t bombard your inbox with a thousand and one emails but we will be sure to keep you informed!

Aahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! ‘ SCHOOL DRESS UP DAYS ‘ we all remember them fondly as kids but now as mothers those words strike panic and fear in our hearts.

Last term it was the school sports colours day. Achievable if your child is in Blue or Red house but a bloody nightmare if your little darling is in Yellow or Green house because the latter are just about never in fashion and deservedly so. You might find something from the 80’s at the op shop if you’re lucky. Then again you might be popping an adult’s size 18 tee on your 6-year-old and calling it a dress. That’ll do…get out the door we’re late!

My son Harrison in the final creation Wheres Wally style!!

This term however it’s the ‘Where’s Wally ‘ walk-a-thon day where you guessed it, the kids have to dress like Wally. There’s a reason he’s called Wally and it’s all to do with his horrid fashion sense! Needless to say, you aren’t going to just stroll into Kmart or Target and find a red and white striped long sleeve tee sitting there at the right price to be worn once by your darling child.

The quickest mum off the mark shoots off to Vinnies the day the costume announcement is made. She finds something if not a little large but it fits woopie! Too bad if you’re one of the parents of the rest of the 800 kids at school all looking for a costume in the same country town.

Some are lucky and have Nannas who can knit up a beanie overnight, many don’t.

The experiences…

A good friend of mine experienced visiting seven….yes SEVEN Op shops and still coming out empty-handed. The most amazing thing is that she managed to do this with her winging 2-year-old in tow…OMG, I feel she deserves a fricken medal!!!

With regards myself, as sick as a dog, I sewed a beanie and painted red stripes on a white shirt during my lunch break after chugging some cough syrup to wash down my flu meds and multivitamins.

In conclusion…

We can all tell you where Wally is…he’s at the bloody Nut-house visiting all the mothers that have been driven bonkers trying to dress their kids for ‘School dress up’ days.

Seriously schools, can we have Homer Simpson as a mascot please because we can all do a white tee and blue jeans and hey, no one is going to complain about the doughnut thing… everyone loves a good doughnut!

I will say that the schools have managed to get one ‘School dress up’ day right; PYJAMA DAY. No arguing with the kids to get dressed 500 times, no hunting for lost socks, no waiting for the dryer to finish of the uniforms you forgot to put in last night. Just get them out of bed, shove their Uggs on and push them out the door with a piece of Vegemite toast. Done. Why heck, I’ll even get onboard and take them to school in my own PJs, why not?!

Ahhh, stress freeee……

Signing off ……

Added comment by Kat

Love this blog post thank you Pinky!!! Another idea being is to befriend the mothers who have the natural passion and ability, unlike myself.. l’lI admit this is where I am at for dear old ‘SCHOOL DRESS UP DAYS ‘. Here is the secret: the offer is given to take on creating the costume for your child as your child is the best friend of their child and their child will not dress up unless she matches my child!!!! Very grateful to my dear friend Amy for this!!!!

Little Miss Foxy and her BFF love being Wanda!!

Let us know your experiences of school dress up days in the comments below……

About the Guest Author

Pinky is a textile and graphic designer…She is currently setting up her own small creative business ‘Crafty Possums’ where she hand dyes her own yarns and screen prints fabric offering wondrous crafty activities and supplies for kids young and old….

About the Kat & Fox founder

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, freebies and content from Kat & Fox, be sure to sign up to our E Newsletter. Don’t stress we won’t bombard your inbox with a thousand and one emails but we will be sure to keep you informed!

Recently when I was in Melbourne I attended a networking event. Here we were attentively listening to Nic from The Mama Sorority when suddenly a high pitched siren was affecting the focus. I realised that it was, in fact, coming from the handbag on the floor in front of me. As the mama in charge of said bag sunk her hand in to locate the culprit, a light bulb went off in my head for my next blog post. With this idea set, I met so many wonderful working mums and they were more that willing to scatter the contents of their bags on the floor for me to examine.

We carry these bags as statement pieces and we stuff them with so much crap… How many of you have found yourself sinking your hand into the depths of your bag desperately trying to locate your car keys only to find, lollies, tissues, toy cars? TBH at times, I can be so impatient I literally tip it onto the pavement to the amazement of people passing by and I don’t give a S*#t…

With all this in mind I would like to introduce you to four such women, all Mama’s two who like me have their own child-focused brands, one nearly there and one taking a break from her fast-paced marketing career to focus on family.

Prue Henschke and her handbag

Well me I’m a mum of two super energetic boys – aged 3.5 years and 16 months. My day job is as a lawyer and I write/blog for fun. Through my blog, I’m hoping to inspire mums to prioritise taking care of themselves – a personal challenge of mine and it seems lots of mums.

Since having children, big handbags are a must for me! I always seem to be given rocks, sticks, pine cones or toys my eldest swears he’ll carry but are passed off to me as soon as we leave the car/house.

The super bag

The few toys I have in my handbag are for those times I’m out trying to play grown up at a cafe and the boys are bored of playing with napkins, teaspoons and menus.

I have used the same style of pocket calendar for years but rarely use it now. I have no social life! The earphones are for talking on the phone (I worry sometimes about frying my brain) and listening to podcasts (one of my favourite forms of me-time). The sunnies are new but I’ve opted for less expensive ones than I’ve had in the past because if I’m honest I take appalling care of them.

Pinky Wittingslow and her handbag

I work from home as a textile artist whilst juggling mumming of two cheeky cherubs. My handbag is simple with a strap long enough to sling over my head and wear crosswise for those 200mtr toddler-weight-lifting school bell dashes. The weathered brown leather matches my trusty well-loved utility boots great for the workshop, studio and playground.

A bag so well loved..

My two-year-old potters around the studio with me or enjoys trips to The Hardware Store (note bolts) to gather supplies for making whatever craft tool I’m building that day. We do stop by parks randomly for nature walks…note the acorn my son smuggled in there. He’s only just cleared his pebble collection out. Tiny toys mean we have little friends to play with wherever we go.

an assortment of fun…

Sam Baker and her handbag

Life is crazy busy as a mother of two and working as an online lecturer in marketing from home. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my handbag is a well-worn vintage Louis Vuitton. Stylish but has certainly seen better days….a bit like its owner.

An aged Loui V

The contents reflect my daily life and I like to cull to keep things to a minimum. My favourite perfume Aerin Lauder, my phone, purse and makeup bag. Just the essentials. The colourful heart is a note for Mother’s Day from my son.

Leanne Scaffaro and her handbag

Who am I? A busy working Mama who co- run’s a buisness with my friend Katie where we seek out unique, on-trend Australian made/designed baby items to gift loved ones in beautiful branded gift boxes.

I was very fortunate to have been given this beautiful handbag from my brother, all the way from his holiday to Spain. The style of my bag pretty much sums me up. I love a bit of style, but classy and sexy fashion.

Sexy Spanish bag…

Of late since starting our business I have learnt to carry around my phone charger and these days my phone goes flat so quickly from constantly working from it. I also have a protein snack in my bag and I am totally OBSESSED with the bounce ones. Got to have my water bottle with me and the essentials and a meditation cd to help calm the mind every now and then ✌🏻

Try to make time for meditation…..

As sexy sassy modern mama’s our handbags become our lifelines…

I’d like to ask you if have any of you funny stories pertaining to your handbags? Like carrying around smelly nappies for days as you feel embarrassed to deposit them in your friend’s bin or eating half an apple and using your beautiful Chanel as a bin and being so busy you forget, one week later finding a strange smell emerging from the bag? Sounds familiar?

We would love to see your pics and hear your stories pertaining to handbag nightmares so comment below!

About the Author

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, freebies and content from Kat & Fox, be sure to sign up to our E Newsletter. Don’t stress we won’t bombard your inbox with a thousand and one emails but we will be sure to keep you informed!

I bloomin’ know how bedtime can be a stomach-churning experience. LBH if you are well planned and prepared it really can work. As long as you can be calm and be in the right mindset this will work (I PROMISE)

HERE I have created my top five tips on…“How to set the scene for making kids bedtime stress free”

TIP #1 TURN THE LIGHT’S DOWN

Bright light over stimulating their senses, so for bedtime stories, you’ll need enough light to read by low enough for the feeling of candlelight…preparing them for sleepy time. Bedside lamps 15W are perfect…Diffused light is better than some lampshades where the light is directed up and down…too bright. Torches can be fun too…especially when you read to them under the covers…

soft string lights add pops of colour and soft ambience at night

TIP #2 PREP THE BED

Use plump pillows and cushions that create a feel of a story nook for reading to them. Often getting them involved in decorating their rooms, or selecting the bed-linen can help them to feel positive about their own spaces. They will want to go to bed.

Plump cushions add lots of colour.

TIP #3 TOO HOT, TOO COLD

Make sure that the room temperature is just right. The Bed linen you choose needs to be 100% cotton, this is breathable and your child will not overheat during the night. Some brands of children’s bed linen prefer to use Polyester/cotton blends, might be a cheaper option, but be careful do you really want your child to sleep under a plastic bag all night?

TIP #4 MAKE IT ENJOYABLE

yes keep the mood calm remember kids love cubbies, picture books with bold colourful illustrations, feeling protected and safe. Sometimes I drape LMFC’s flat sheet, hook it to the top of the blind, and fashion a bed canopy over the top end of her bed. I encourage her to choose three of her cuddly friends to join us for story time, leaping into the world of her beautiful imagination and dreams.

Ava love’s making cubbies over her bed.

TIP #5 JOIN THEM

climb in under the covers snuggle in tight with two or three books and begin sharing that special moment. I urge you to giggle, chatter about the pictures and NEVER forget to end with cuddles, kisses and “Sleep tight my sweet, love you my darling”

Me sharing a special moment with Little Miss Foxy…

Please feel free to add in the comments your own tips to share…

About the Author

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, freebies and content from Kat & Fox, be sure to sign up to our E Newsletter. Don’t stress we won’t bombard your inbox with a thousand and one emails but we will be sure to keep you informed!

Little Miss Foxy Cub the last of my three babies was two when she transitioned from the cot to a single bed. Previous traumatic attempts with my boys had left a bad taste… Like me, Little Miss Foxy was a nervous but determined little girl in comparison to her bolshy older brothers!

Knowing this and with my super power of recounting incidents from my past, I had to be cautious. One million years ago I recall being terrified as I was dumped in a big bed for the first time, my parents engaged in a crude sink or swim method of transition.

This left little me afraid of the dark; gripping onto my parents for dear life and repeatedly escaping downstairs nightly…drove my poor parents batty! I’ll be brutally honest I don’t have the patience for that bull crap adding to that I am very selfish and enjoy the ME time!! Kid FREE time.

SO now let me share what I chose to do with LMFC in five FOXERTASTIC tips:

TIP (1) IT’S IN THE TIMING

So much newness in their little lives. Pick a time where nothing like the birth of a new baby, moving house, death in the family, divorce or illness is an occurrence. Two to three years old is when they are ready and starting to scramble out of their cot.

TIP (2) PREPARE THEM or suffer

Show them how their little buddies are now in big beds. This excites them making it an adventure to be had!

TIP (3) SET A ROUTINEor drive yourself to drink

I favour bath time, snuggles on the sofa, teeth clean, that all-important storybook, one butterfly kiss, three nose rubs and a huggle! “Sleep tight…see you in the morning when the dogs are yawning”

TIP (4) SLOWLY WINS THE RACEstep it out…

Step (1) One side of cot is removed

Step (2) Transition into a toddler bed and for familiarity keep it in the same spot as the cot was.

Step (3) Toddler beds can extend to the size of a full single. Do retain the familiar cot sized quilt, as a single tends to slip off in the night as too big for little-sized bodies. (Based on experience)

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, freebies and content from Kat & Fox, be sure to sign up to our E Newsletter. Don’t stress we won’t bombard your inbox with a thousand and one emails but we will be sure to keep you informed!

We are constantly bombarded with images of beautiful on trend homes!!…Are you like me an obsessive collector of glossy interior magazines that set the benchmark of how your home should be??? Why do we set ourselves up for disappointment…let’s get real most of these perfectly styled homes are never truly lived in its all for show… stop believing the grass is always greener and start to celebrate the homes we have, sticky finger prints and all. I urge you to follow a more genuine style where your home emanates personality and uncovers the story of you and your beautiful family. Therefore I believe imperfect interiors make perfect homes.

Kats slow style

What about TREND?

Grey and everything dull is the latest and greatest!...How’s the DE saturated thing going for your kids???…Really are we trying to raise mini adults fitting them into our sophisticated approach to interior décor?… I believe we should be nurturing and embracing the natural healthy development of our own creative kids by surrounding them with spaces that inspire and encourage genuine experiences. (Colour bombing)

A new approach…

Adding items to your home you gather along the way whilst your family grows makes for beautiful spaces…

So those of you with homes, kids, pets, all contusive of mania. I believe it is time for a new approach ….its an honest look at style mixed in with a humour and colour explosion. LBH life with kids is always epic, it’s always explosions, it’s always about finding the right balance and rebalancing. It’s us mamma’s working together to find the right solution. We need to have the confidence to be contented in a family friendly house, in organised mayhem.

Let’s call it SLOW style…

Make your style true to you and your family rather than the latest trend…. Let’s call it SLOW style…SLOW design…. This represents having a home that evolves with your family, a sustainable lifestyle. Leave space on the wall ready for your kid’s artworks…plan for the future…do not fill your house with cheap fast fashion and décor items for the sake of the latest disposable trend. It’s about forward thinking and being ready for those things that really mean something to your family and add sooo much value.

Slow conscientious life styling…let’s be HONEST let’s be REAL……

This blog emerged after a fabulous wine filled evening with my fellow creative friendie and mamma of small kidlets Pinky Wittingslow, Textile designer. We both live and breathe the SLOW DESIGN ethos. Our own homes are a (crazy) eclectic mix and match of colour, whimsical collectables and kids artwork…all added with love.

home style pinky

About the Author

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.

Can I ask you all a question??? Do little tiny wriggling creatures ever overwhelm you???? You know the ones? NITS…Nasty Idiots That Stink, infesting the hair of your children! I DO! Let me explain, my Little Miss Foxy cub has been struck THREE times this summer!!!! FFS I feel like it is me against the millions. Leave us alone S*%#!heads! I’d like to state enough is enough, NO MORE!!! The little b-tards are sucking the life out of me. Consequently over the past sixteen years, three kiddies later I have come to the revelation about…NITS & the 6 stages of…mental torture… this it is not too dissimilar to grieving or drug rehabilitation.

THE 6 STAGES…

Stage (1)-OBSERVATION… You know that tight feeling you notice your little angel scratching their head. You know it don’t you?

Stage (2)-DENIAL…. NO, no nits here… clean as a whistle…”No sweetie when you stay at your cousin’s please don’t touch your head…Just don’t!!! Promise I’ll buy you some play dough!!!” To ensure this I seize the brush, conditioner, varnish hairspray and I proceed to scrape her tangled hair into the firmest French braid ever … Poor Little Miss Foxy with her tight and well-sealed helmet of hair…in fact, I would say that if I joined her my wrinkles would be gone and I could pass for thirty!!!

Little miss foxy and I with HAIR everywhere!!!!

Stage (3)-DEPRESSION… The tingle has increased to an itch…MY F@#*ing head’s on fire… ME…..NOOOOOO!

Stage (4)-REVENGE …That’s it…. WAR…I need supplies. THE PHARMACY…my saving grace… What has happened???…With my first little darling, there were only two products on the market from the highly toxic to the gentle greenie type. NOW, now it’s a like a Pandora’s box of NIT delights …everyone has jumped onto the NIT phenomenon. Products that unstick the eggs, which smell nice and kill in seconds whilst frying your child’s scalp, leave in products that suffocate, yellow creams, small bottles of organic oils, natural allergy free and artificial with pretty bottles that are packaged into sets. It doesn’t end there… the comb! Combs with three rows of metal teeth, bright coloured robotic plastic combs, even long handled and short combs??? OMG, I am so confused?? This is a situation for total overload resulting in Mama mental shutdown, It’s mental torture. The bright vivacious pharmacy assistant skidding up beside me brings me back to reality with a loud crack and proceeds to annoyingly kindly provide me with her wealth of NIT knowledge… … (WTF)…I can’t bear it anymore…SO I going for the most toxic…bad mother with the brightest packaging that’s on the shelf that promises DEATH instantaneously or that’s what I believe!

Stage (5)-THE ATTACK… There she is scratching away. There they are in their millions waiting, waiting for me to act. On goes the toxic lotion, in go the fingers …massage at high speed. Eyes are watering, tears falling, screams are heard. The shower cap on. Tick-Toc, Tick-Toc ten minutes later shower cap off. Into the shower shampoo on, shampoo off, conditioner in, more conditioner in. Eucalyptus oil in, massage, massage. Finally, comb time. Dragging the comb sharply through little Foxy’s hair is a two-hour manic procedure. My white Maxwell Williams bowl filled with water, tissues and my trusty three rows of metal teeth. YES, I am going to admit this but a bizarre sense of satisfaction has taken hold as the black dot like eggs increase in the bowl. Finally, they are gone or at least I thought?

Little Miss foxy’s Nit filled brush…

Stage (6)-RELIEF-Exhausted I repeat the whole procedure on mine and all the other heads in the family including Sadie our puppy. Boiled bed sheets hanging them out in the sun to dry following all of the condescending advice I been given by the sprightly eighteen-year-old assistant and Mr Google. Eight hours of NIT antics… It’s over, I can breathe, I have WON!!

Furthermore, I bet Beyoncé Knowles has never has had to deal with this shite herself. I tell you what Ivy Blue’s head of hair would pose a huge challenge for the three rows of metal teeth to scrape through.!!…

Guess what???? ……..One week on they are back!!!!!!!!

About the Author

Kat is an Illustrator, entrepreneur, blogger, interior/

textile designer, visual arts teacher and above all mother to three crazies. In her whimsical humorous way, she explores all topics related to the many sides of motherhood and parenting little angels on her blog.